Television shows that ended too soon

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It almost goes without saying that "Freaks and Geeks" would show up on this list. After "Arrested Development," it's pop culture's favorite one-season, gone-too-soon swan song. And with good reason--the show cut right to the core of what it means to be a teenage outcast in a timeless, evergreen way. We've all been Sam Weir in that powder blue disco suit, walking down the halls of life and realizing in awestruck horror that we don't look as good as we thought we would. That "Freaks and Geeks" is stuffed with those sort of "oh crap" moments is what makes it so indelible. It's no surprise that it made megastars out of its cast (James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel) and creators (Judd Apatow, Paul Feig)--it might be the best show about high school ever made.

It almost goes without saying that "Freaks and Geeks" would show up on this list. After "Arrested Development," it's pop culture's favorite one-season, gone-too-soon swan song. And with good reason--the show cut right to the core of what it means to be a teenage outcast in a timeless, evergreen way. We've all been Sam Weir in that powder blue disco suit, walking down the halls of life and realizing in awestruck horror that we don't look as good as we thought we would. That "Freaks and Geeks" is stuffed with those sort of "oh crap" moments is what makes it so indelible. It's no surprise that it made megastars out of its cast (James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel) and creators (Judd Apatow, Paul Feig)--it might be the best show about high school ever made. (Getty Images)

It's actually pretty hilarious how much Judd Apatow and crew have been screwed over by television networks. Considered a follow-up to "Freaks and Geeks" with a different cast, "Undeclared" chronicled the first year of college for Stephen and his dormmates, who get into relatable predicaments that manage not to be overblown for comedy's sake, but are still hilarious. Seth Rogen is an infinitely better actor in "Undeclared" as one of Stephen's roommates than he was in "Freaks and Geeks," with one of my favorite episodes of and lines from TV ever. (Rogen hides behind a tree, watching the girl he has a crush on give a tour to incoming students. When his friends tell him to just go talk to her, he says something to the effect of "talking will ruin everything.") It only lasted one season, but it packed in castings of everyone from Amy Poehler and Jason Segel to Kyle Gass, Jenna Fischer and Busy Phillipps.

It's actually pretty hilarious how much Judd Apatow and crew have been screwed over by television networks. Considered a follow-up to "Freaks and Geeks" with a different cast, "Undeclared" chronicled the first year of college for Stephen and his dormmates, who get into relatable predicaments that manage not to be overblown for comedy's sake, but are still hilarious. Seth Rogen is an infinitely better actor in "Undeclared" as one of Stephen's roommates than he was in "Freaks and Geeks," with one of my favorite episodes of and lines from TV ever. (Rogen hides behind a tree, watching the girl he has a crush on give a tour to incoming students. When his friends tell him to just go talk to her, he says something to the effect of "talking will ruin everything.") It only lasted one season, but it packed in castings of everyone from Amy Poehler and Jason Segel to Kyle Gass, Jenna Fischer and Busy Phillipps. (FOX)

Before it was brought back to life by Netflix, "Arrested Development" was one of those TV shows that was canceled before its time. Perhaps these shows that died too soon will be revived someday, too. "Veronica Mars" movie, yeah! Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.